AC Milan capped a superb week with a win at Cesena that sees them replace Juventus at the top of the Serie A standings.
After beating title rivals Udinese 2-1 last week and then thrashing Arsenal 4-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, Milan won with goals from debutant Sulley Muntari, Urby Emanuelson and Robinho. Daniel Pudli got second-bottom Cesena's reply.
The victory lifts Milan a point clear of Juve, who provisionally took over top spot with a win over Catania on Saturday, although the Turin club still have a game in hand.
Pablo Barrientos gave Catania the lead in the fourth minute but Andrea Pirlo levelled matters in the 22nd minute.
A red card for Marco Motta in the 64th minute left Catania with a battle on their hands and it was one they lost with Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Quagliarella scoring to earn Antonio Conte's side all three points.
Palermo annihilated a weakened Lazio side 5-1.
Edgar Barreto, Massimo Donati and Matias Silvestre scored before the break and Igor Budan and captain Fabrizio Miccoli wrapped up the win in the second half.
The visitors, without eight players through injuries or suspension, had defender Andre Dias sent off 17 minutes from time. Libor Kozak's late goal was of little consolation to them.
Udinese were unable to capitalise fully, drawing 0-0 at home to Cagliari .
Roma ended Parma's five-game unbeaten run to climb to fifth, with Fabio Borini's 26th-minute goal settling the contest at the Stadio Olimpico.
Genoa fell to their third defeat in a row, with coach Pasquale Marino's job now hanging in the balance after Cyril Thereau's 30th-minute goal for visiting Chievo.
In the day's early kick-off, Lecce boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop by coming from behind to narrow the deficit on fellow strugglers Siena to just two points with a 4-1 home win.
Luis Muriel, Davide Di Michele (penalty), Juan Cuadrado and Davide Brivio turned things around for Serse Cosmi's side, who had Manuel Blasi dismissed late on, after Cristiano Del Grosso gave Siena the lead.
Bottom club Novara remain six points adrift of safety after a goalless home draw with Atalanta.
On Friday night, Claudio Ranieri's future as Inter Milan coach was left hanging in the balance after the Nerazzurri were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Bologna, prompting nostalgic calls from the home faithful for former coach Jose Mourinho.
Two goals in a minute from Marco Di Vaio put the visitors in control in the first half and Robert Acquafresca sealed the points five minutes from time, leaving Inter without a win in their last five games.
Mourinho's name could be heard echoing around the San Siro during the final five minutes of a match which once again laid bare Inter's frailties - they ended the weekend six points outside the Champions League spots.
Edinson Cavani scored twice as Napoli strolled to a 3-0 victory at Fiorentina to leapfrog Inter.
The visitors were ahead in just the third minute through Cavani, who added a second 10 minutes after the break.
And strike partner Ezequiel Lavezzi got in on the act in stoppage time to add gloss to the scoreline.
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